York corrections officer on leave after arrest

A 22-year-veteran of the Department of Corrections from Groton is on paid administrative leave after an arrest last week for child pornography possession and drug charges.

Mark Veroneau, 52, of 40 Spyglass Circle, was charged Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation with third-degree possession of child pornography, possession of narcotics, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and narcotics not in their original container.

A state DOC spokeswoman confirmed Monday Veroneau was hired in 1991 and works at the Janet S. York Correctional Institution in Niantic. He’s on paid administrative leave pending the criminal charges and a DOC investigation, the spokesperson said.

Groton Town police said Veroneau posted a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear Feb. 13 in New London Superior Court. A court clerk said a search warrant in the case is sealed.